Ike Ugbo Joins The Reds!

The 18-year-old striker has signed a season-long loan deal at Oakwell!

As a tall, tricky and speedy forward man, he possesses the much needed qualities that Paul Heckingbottom has been looking for to add to his front-line.

Ugbo smashed the goals in last season for Chelsea’s U23s and U18s side with a record of 23 goals in 35 matches and the youngster has amassed over 60 goals in his last three campaigns with the Stamford Bridge outfit.

This scintillating form and beginning to Ike’s career has led to multiple clubs within the Sky Bet Championship and abroad being alerted to his abilities but it’s the Reds who have won the race to sign the highly rated youngster.

The striker has shown his winning mentality throughout his time at Chelsea and has picked up a winners medal in the FA Youth Cup, a competition that the West London club have been champions in for six of the last eight years.

As well as showcasing his ability throughout club level, Ugbo was rewarded with a call-up to the England U20s side who came home as champions from the Toulon Tournament over the summer. He played three times and scored the winning goal with a towering header in the 1-0 win over Angola.

After adding firepower to his squad in time for the upcoming home friendlies with Coventry City and Huddersfield Town, Paul Heckingbottom spoke exclusively to www.barnsleyfc.co.uk.

“We’re really pleased at being able to bring one of the brightest young strikers out there to Oakwell and of course we must thank Chelsea for allowing us to do so. I am really excited about what Ike can bring to the team. He is a forward who has pace, height, strength and power as well as a keen eye for goal as is shown by his record. He fits into the mould of players that we’re looking for; someone who wants to better themselves and further their career so we are more than happy that he has chosen to continue that development with us.”